Mayor, council members sworn into office

Shewmaker Swearing-In

Newly-elected Mayor Paul Shewmaker and re-elected council members Ken Cummings, Matthew Gooch and Jenn Hulehan were sworn into office on Tuesday.

Mayor Shewmaker said he felt "honored and humbled" during his swearing-in. Mayor Shewmaker chaired his first council meeting shortly afterwards.

"It was a blur, and it went fast," Mayor Shewmaker said of the meeting. "I'll be glad when I'm more comfortable chairing the meetings instead of concentrating so hard on what to say. Everyone was so kind to me, and I want to thank my fellow council members and the city staff for a good night."

The swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday night was the second of its kind for councilmen Cummings and Gooch and Councilwoman Hulehan, who was elected mayor pro tem by her peers. Councilwoman Hulehan said she continues to feel a "great sense of responsibility" to the City of Simpsonville and is "honored" that Simpsonville residents have trusted her with that responsibility.

"We're going to keep Simpsonville on the right track!," Councilwoman Hulehan said. "I will continue to fight for strategic long-term planning; fiscally sustainable services; maintaining our healthy general fund balance; and encouraging intentional economic development and smart growth."

Shewmaker Swearing-In 2

Newly-elected Mayor Paul Shewmaker is sworn into office by Rev. Dr. Mike Smith of Simpsonville United Methodist Church. Mayor Shewmaker's good friend and Scoutmaster for Troop 700 Lee Ledford held the Bible. The 80-year-old Bible was that of Mayor Shewmaker's late father, a Baptist preacher, and contained Pastor Shewmaker's personal notes. Mayor Shewmaker said he wished his father could have attended the ceremony.

Cummings Swearing-In

Re-elected Councilman Ken Cummings of Ward V is sworn into office by his wife Natasha.

Gooch Swearing-In

Re-elected Councilman Matthew Gooch of Ward I is sworn into office with his wife Melissa alongside him by city attorney David Holmes.

Hulehan Swearing-In

Re-elected Councilwoman Jenn Hulehan of Ward 3 is sworn into office with her husband Trent alongside her by city attorney David Holmes.